[Guys, you're welcome to read this post--parts of it might be interesting--but the bulk of it may be slightly more interesting for my female readers]
I left the WFMW clipboard really small, in thumbnail format, because I don’t have any big ideas.
Only one, simple idea. One bottle. One product to suggest.
Castile soap.
This product is made with vegetables and herbal oils. The one I use (Trader Joe’s Pure Peppermint Castile Soap in liquid form, comparable to the famous Dr. Bronner’s) adds a touch of Aloe Vera “for its soothing, healing qualities.”
It’s pure and simple, with no animal or synthetic ingredients. Most of all, castile soap is a versatile product with numerous effective applications.
This will probably horrify all Arbonne and Mary Kay representatives, but I use it as a face and body wash.
The occasional blemish that would erupt on my chin or nose from month to month? No more. Not a one. Since I’ve been using castile soap, my complexion is better than ever. I know several readers who will just shake their heads at me–they’ll warn me that I shouldn’t use, well, soap on my skin. But, hey, it’s working great. It’s cheap, my skin looks and feels great, and after I use it on my face, I can use it to clean the shower, mop the floor and wash the dishes.
Yes, this product is so flexible, I’ve used it for everything that the back of the bottle suggests, except as a shampoo. I tried that and didn’t like it, but I have long hair and I’ve heard it’s better for people with short hair (and good for dandruff).
IÂ use it for the following (I’m typing directly from the Trader Joe’s label):
Body: Use directly on loofa, washcloth, or sponge for an invigorating shower or bath.
Bubble Bath/Baby Bath: Pour one capful in running water for a luxurious bath. It’s also a gentle, safe way to bathe your baby (note:Â as with any baby wash, be sure to keep it out of their eyes).
Fruit Wash: A couple of washes in water cleans pesticide residues off your fruits and vegetables.
Hand Soap: Gentle on your hands and tough on dirt.
General Use Cleaner: Its naturally powerful cleaning ability will get your floors, counters, bathrooms, and kitchen utensils spotlessly clean.
Travelers, Backpackers, Campers: The perfect all-in-0ne cleaner. One (biodegradable) soap does it all without fouling up the environment.
This lady has some personal observations from using the actual Dr. Bronner’s brand, and mentions that some versions are better than others for specific uses (some have a high oil content and she observed oil stains when using it for laundry). She (and many others)Â also dis-recommends using it as a toothpaste. My Trader Joe’s bottle didn’t even bother suggesting that application.
Here’s a backpacker’s personal experience with it.
I love how it simplifies life. And it’s safe for the environment: the makers are careful when producing it to be environmentally friendly; and when I put it to use, no harmful fumes or residues are wafting around my home.
You could try a bottle and see what you think. It’s concentrated, so one bottle lasts a while. If you don’t like it for one thing, you can use it for a dozen other uses until it’s gone and be done with it. Or maybe, like me, you’ll find that you’re hooked.Â
Please visit Rocks in My Dryer for more great ideas!
My previous Works-For-Me-Wednesday Ideas:
Post-It Annotation for Library Books
Everyday Mom-Mobile Essentials & Travel Notebooks
Make the Most of Internet Lag Time
Storing Dishes: How Low Can You Go?
Let It Snow, Let Us Slow (Crockpot Steel-Cut Oatmeal)
25 comments
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April 18, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Amanda
Hmmm…I love Trader Joe’s. I’ll have to try it!
April 18, 2007 at 1:42 pm
irrationallove
We’ve been using castile soap for a while and we’re hooked too. Interesting note: my cousin’s new puppy chewed a ballpoint pen and left the entire contents on their new carpet. She found castile soap to be the only thing that would remove the ink and did it completely!
April 18, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Karen Hossink
You had me hooked on reading this WFMW when I saw the “(and a blemish-free face).” I am 35 years old and still getting blemishes – more than *occasionally*. It isn’t fair!!!
I may try this castile soap idea…
April 18, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Mrs.A
I love castille soap. I use it for everything. I use it on my face and body. It is also a wonderful all purpose cleaner around the house too!
April 18, 2007 at 10:14 pm
Fiddledeedee (It Coulda' Been Worse)
How I miss Trader Joes!!! I need to find this product though. As I type, I have a small wad of toilet paper stuck to the side of my nose to stop the bleeding from a freshly popped pimple. Too much information?
April 19, 2007 at 4:37 am
Tricia Ares
Thanks for the tip Ann. It sounds great. I can’t find Trader Joe’s online, though. Where do you get it?
April 19, 2007 at 7:27 am
annkroeker
A quick note to all: The most famous brand of liquid castile soap is Dr. Bronner’s, and it’s available at most health stores. You can phone first to see if yours carries it, but I’ll bet they do. It’s well known in those circles.
I just wanted to be honest that I was using the Trader Joe’s version of the stuff. Dr. Bronner’s is the best known name brand–so much so that some people would say “I use Dr. Bronner’s when I shower” meaning “I use castile soap,” kind of like saying, “I need a Kleenex” when referring to tissues.
April 19, 2007 at 9:29 am
Jenny
Thanks for the info! I didn’t know this existed, but my skin is suffering from “regular” bar soaps, and I didn’t know what to do. I’m going to Google it now!!
April 20, 2007 at 12:27 am
Robin
I used TJ’s castile soap to bath my little guy when he was little but forgot about it as he got bigger. I saw it last time I was shopping (next to TJ’s all purpose cleaner – which I LOVE) and was thinking I’d pick up a bottle next time. Thanks for confirmation.
June 13, 2007 at 9:43 pm
Works for my Daughter « Ann Kroeker
[...] Castile Soap for a Simpler Life (and blemish-free face) [...]
August 1, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Parenting Advice « Ann Kroeker
[...] Castile Soap for a Simpler Life (and blemish-free face) [...]
September 26, 2007 at 3:10 pm
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[...] Castile Soap for a Simpler Life (and blemish-free face) [...]
October 22, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Homemade Cleaning Products - Mom Talk
[...] permalink Well, we used it when we went camping for everything — dishes, wiping things down, body wash (though not shampoo, I just can’t do that!). At home, I squirt some straight onto the shower or tub and scrub with a crocheted scrubber my mom made me. The mix I listed I use on the kitchen counters and bathroom counters. You can add it to warm water and vinegar to clean the floors (though I have hardwoods so I just use vinegar & water as the soap leaves a film on the wood). You can use a squirt for the toilet bowl. Here’s a tip sheet that shows some uses http://www.tpchd.org/files/library/81d45ec2a0e09801.pdf And this gal’s blog goes even further (using it as a blemish reducer!) Castile Soap for a Simpler Life (and blemish-free face) « Ann Kroeker [...]
April 27, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Erin
Hi,
Will someone give me a recipe for using concentrated Castile Soap for bathing/facial cleanser?
Thanks,
Erin
May 8, 2008 at 10:42 am
Five Days of How-To Posts: A blog experiment offering helpful information in bullet-point form « Ann Kroeker
[...] Castile Soap for a Simpler Life (and blemish-free face) [...]
June 11, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Cheryl
I found this page while searching for my favorite castile soap – my local groceries don’t carry it. I have tried Dr. Bronner’s and Trader Joe’s concentrated liquid soaps and don’t care for them because they don’t lather well in hard water (which I have), and because I don’t like soaps with fragrance. I use Kirk’s Natural castile soap, which is available in a bar form or as a liquid, and it’s wonderful. It makes lots of rich foamy lather in hard water, rinses off clean and does not dry my skin out as much as the other brands. So just FYI, if you have a problem with dry skin like I do, or if you live in a dry or hard water environment, the Kirk’s brand may work well for you even if the others do not.
July 17, 2008 at 12:59 am
greg
I slightly despise dr. bronner.
The trader joes brand is a much better deal. Approximately half the price of Dr. B and almost double volume.
I dont get the Dr. B love fest.TJs is better.
August 4, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Nina
I’ve just begun using the TJ castile soap and I love it! I bought it for body washed and was surprised at the many other uses (including shampoo). I’ve tried it as shampoo and it’s one of the first I’ve tried (and I’ve tried many shampoos) that doesn’t leave my super dry scalp itchy. Yay! I’m going to try it for all sorts of other things. It’s working on my face so far and I am a Mary Kay rep. I love my MK, but this stuff works really well.
August 5, 2008 at 5:44 pm
HeatherRai
I make soap and it’s so much better for your face, body and hair than anything I’ve ever had from a store. Castille soap is gentle enough for babies skin
Plus no chemicals to leech their way into your life!
October 10, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Jade
well, I’ve been using pure castile soap that I bought from Mountain Rose Herbs, and I really love this stuff so far. It’s working very well as a facial cleanser, and doesn’t overly dry out my skin too much. I might take your advice and use it for my house cleaning too. =]
November 11, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Brian
I am a male vocalist and marketer (and herbalist-in-training) who stands by Castile Soap. Not only does it do wonders for the cleaning and nourishment of the skin, but it is ALL – PURPOSE like these comments suggest. No chemicals and only good natural stuff the body can USE. I use Tea Tree Castile Soap, which helps the skin fight fungus and blemishes, and I was told the tea element absorbs directly into the skin to rejuvenate and tighten pores (possibly the caffeine in the tea). All I know is, it makes my skin glow and I can keep it moving (not worrying about bags under my eyes). You can even combine it with water, put it on to dry and use it for shaving! It makes the hair come off much easier for a REALLY clean shave, and keeps away the bumps and burns in the process. I could have avoided a lot of razor burns if I had known this sooner. A really amazing product!
December 1, 2008 at 7:49 am
Sarah
I have just disÂcovÂered Dr. BronÂners prodÂucts and I have fallen in love with them. I had never heard of them or even castile soap before! I disÂcovÂered them about 5 or 6 months ago when I started getÂting interÂested in making my own houseÂhold cleanÂing prodÂucts. I have comÂpletely phased out comÂmerÂcial cleanÂing chemÂiÂcals with the excepÂtion of borax (which has been said to be mildly toxic). Once I disÂcovÂered that I could make my own I comÂpletely stopped using my comÂmerÂcial prodÂucts. I didn’t even want to wait until they were empty!! Now I am interÂested in phasÂing out comÂmerÂcial chemÂiÂcals and detergents-(which is what your comÂmerÂcial soap actuÂally is) as well. I thought that the Dr. BronÂners soaps were basiÂcally for the use of houseÂhold cleanÂing prodÂucts and just disÂcovÂered that I could use them in my hygiene rouÂtine as well! I am still lookÂing for recipes and ideas and (kind of newly) open to all sugÂgesÂtions!
I also want to add that we don’t have a Trader Joe’s anywhere in my area so I don’t have that option to try out. But Dr. Bronners attracts me because of the environmental standpoint as well.
I am 28 years old with three…going on four chilÂdren (9, 8, and 14 months) and I just wish that I would have disÂcovÂered this at an earÂlier age!
April 14, 2009 at 8:40 am
Jennifer
I used Dr. Bronners on my face for the first time last night — been bathing with it for a long time. I had read in Edgar Cacey’s readings that it was the best thing to use on the skin, so I thought what the heck. I have had a problem with swollen sabacious glands in my face and to my astonishment, the biggest one disappeared after using this soap the first time on my face. What a great find — I have been buying really expensive face washes!
June 9, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Maggie
I love Dr. Bronner’s soaps, and have been using them for many years. I’ve just started using them on my oily acne prone face. It cleans well, but is very drying and then my skin becomes very oily after an hour (especially my chin). I’m hoping that it will help my “break outs” but still too soon to tell. I use it for shampoo – it cleans well and adds lots of body to my fine textured hair, but after a few washes it becomes a very tangled mess and near impossible to brush (even after conditioning), so i don’t use it exclusively. I’ve never tried Trader Joe’s version, but will definitely check it out.
September 28, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Alicia Lane
Castile soap is amazing for skin–but I tend toward the dryer side so I like something that is castile ONLY based (nothing but olive oil). I would recommend checking out terressentials.com. They make the best products I’ve EVER found. Kinda expensive though.